Gov’t Seeks to Remove Presidential Approval for Land Leases for Tourism

The government has proposed an amendment to the Tourism Act that would remove the requirement for approval from the President’s Office before leasing islands, land, and lagoons for tourism purposes.

The bill had its first reading in Parliament yesterday, introduced by PNC MP Musthafa Hussein on behalf of the government.

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Currently, the Tourism Act mandates that any allocation of islands, land, and lagoons for tourism requires prior approval from the President’s Office. 

The proposed amendment seeks to eliminate this requirement, allowing for allocations to occur without the need for consultation with the President’s Office, should the bill be approved.

Additionally, the existing law requires the tourism ministry to publish a list of designated islands, land, and lagoons for tourism, created in consultation with the President’s Office. Currently, any additions to this list also require approval from the President’s Office; the new amendment would change this process to necessitate direct consultation with the president instead.

The proposed amendment also includes a revision to the green tax imposed on tourists, set to take effect next year. For guesthouses with fewer than 50 rooms, the tax would increase from USD 3 to USD 6 per day. For resorts, city hotels, and establishments with more than 50 rooms, the tax would rise from USD 6 to USD 12 per day.